Survival in clinical stage I endometrial cancer with single vs. multiple positive pelvic nodes: results of a multi-institutional Italian study

Stefano Uccella,Francesca Falcone,Stefano Greggi,Francesco Fanfani,Pierandrea De Iaco,Giacomo Corrado,Marcello Ceccaroni,Vincenzo Dario Mandato,Stefano Bogliolo,Jvan Casarin,Giorgia Monterossi,Ciro Pi 대한부인종양학회 2018 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.29 No.6

Objective: To investigate survival outcomes in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) patients with single vs. multiple positive pelvic lymph nodes. Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of all consecutive patients with histologically proven International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC1 EEC who underwent primary surgical treatment between 2004 and 2014 at seven Italian gynecologic oncology referral centers. Patients with pre- or intra-operative evidence of extra-uterine disease (including the presence of bulky nodes) and patients with stage IIIC2 disease were excluded, in order to obtain a homogeneous population. Results: Overall 140 patients met the inclusion criteria. The presence of >1 metastatic pelvic node was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence and mortality, compared to only 1 metastatic node, at both univariate (recurrence: hazard ratio [HR]=2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2–3.99; p=0.01; mortality: HR=2.8; 95% CI=1.24–6.29; p=0.01) and multivariable analysis (recurrence: HR=1.91; 95% CI=1.02–3.56; p=0.04; mortality: HR=2.62; 95% CI=1.13–6.05; p=0.02) and it was the only independent predictor of prognosis in this subset of patients. Disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were significantly longer in patients with only 1 metastatic node compared to those with more than 1 metastatic node (p=0.008 and 0.009, respectively). Conclusion: The presence of multiple metastatic nodes in stage IIIC1 EEC represents an independent predictor of worse survival, compared to only one positive node. Our data suggest that EEC patients may be categorized according to the number of positive nodes.

Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Laurus nobilis L. Leaf Infusion

Stefano Dall'Acqua,Rinaldo Cervellati,Ester Speroni,Stefano Costa,Maria Clelia Guerra,Laura Stella,Emanuela Greco,Gabbriella Innocenti 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.4

Laurus nobilis L. (laurel) leaves are frequently used as a spice for cooking purposes. Folk medicine in many countries uses the infusion of the plant in stomachic and carminative remedies, as well as for the treatment of gastric diseases. Little information is available about the phytochemical composition of the infusion of dried leaves, which is a way to consume this aromatic and medicinal plant. Phytochemical investigations on the infusion were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD) and direct electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Several flavonoid derivatives were detected. Semipreparative HPLC from the infusion of laurel leaves isolated 10 flavonoid O-glycosides, one flavonoid C-glycoside, catechin, and cinnamtannin B1. Structures of the isolated compounds were computed on the basis of spectral measurements including high-resolution mass spectrometry spectroscopy and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The amount of the flavonoids was also determined by HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activity of the tea and the isolated compounds was also measured using two different in vitro methods: the Briggs-Rauscher oscillating reaction test, at a pH similar to that of the gastric juice, and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay, at the pH of blood. For the infusion and the methanol extract the total phenolic content was also measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent.

Light-lift helicopter logging operations in the Italian Alps: a preliminary study based on GNSS and a video camera system

Stefano Grigolato,Stefano Panizza,Marco Pellegrini,Pierre Ackerman,Raffaele Cavalli 한국산림과학회 2016 Forest Science And Technology Vol.12 No.2

Terrain access is a critical factor influencing the feasibility of forest operations in steep mountainous terrain. Long extraction distances coupled with terrain obstacles can favor the use of helicopters in timber extraction in such areas. However, helicopter logging in the Italian Alps is not commonplace when compared to other Alpine regions, for example, in Switzerland and Austria. The use of light-lift helicopters has recently caught the attention of practitioners as an alternative to more traditional medium- to heavy-lift aircraft in the Alps. This article reports the findings of two preliminary case studies using light-lift helicopters for the extraction of high value timber and fire-damaged timber subsequently exposed to bark beetle disturbance. In order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting helicopter logging productivity, the two case studies were separately analyzed using time-element analysis supported by on-board global navigation satellite system (GNSS) devices. Additionally, an external video camera was used to continuously monitor the operations. The payload utilization was 86% for the extraction of high value timber and 70% for fire-damaged timber subsequently exposed to bark beetle disturbance. Variation in the turn time was mostly related to the hooking, choker return, and load times, as well as flying distance. Above all, the load hooking time explains c. 27% of the variance, revealing its critical influence on logging productivity.

Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Laurus nobilis L. Leaf Infusion

Dall'Acqua, Stefano,Cervellati, Rinaldo,Speroni, Ester,Costa, Stefano,Guerra, Maria Clelia,Stella, Laura,Greco, Emanuela,Innocenti, Gabbriella The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.4

Laurus nobilis L. (laurel) leaves are frequently used as a spice for cooking purposes. Folk medicine in many countries uses the infusion of the plant in stomachic and carminative remedies, as well as for the treatment of gastric diseases. Little information is available about the phytochemical composition of the infusion of dried leaves, which is a way to consume this aromatic and medicinal plant. Phytochemical investigations on the infusion were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD) and direct electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Several flavonoid derivatives were detected. Semipreparative HPLC from the infusion of laurel leaves isolated 10 flavonoid O-glycosides, one flavonoid C-glycoside, catechin, and cinnamtannin B1. Structures of the isolated compounds were computed on the basis of spectral measurements including high-resolution mass spectrometry spectroscopy and one- and twodimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The amount of the flavonoids was also determined by HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activity of the tea and the isolated compounds was also measured using two different in vitro methods: the Briggs-Rauscher oscillating reaction test, at a pH similar to that of the gastric juice, and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay, at the pH of blood. For the infusion and the methanol extract the total phenolic content was also measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent.

The Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Oncology Recommendation for Breast Tumor Recurrence: Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Criteria

Marta Bottero,Valentina Borzillo,Stefano Pergolizzi,Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa,Edy Ippolito,Giovanni Piero Frezza,Lucio Fortunato,Renzo Corvò,Giovanni Luigi Pappagallo,Stefano Arcangeli,Stefano M. 한국유방암학회 2021 Journal of breast cancer Vol.24 No.3

Salvage mastectomy is currently considered the standard of care for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Alternative treatment options for these patients, such as a second BCS followed by repeated RT, have been suggested. The panel of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology developed clinical recommendations for second BCS followed by re-irradiation over mastectomy alone for women with IBTR using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and the evidence to decision framework. The following outcomes were identified by the panel: locoregional control, metastasis-free survival, overall survival, and cancer-specific survival; acute and late toxicity, specific late toxicity, second locoregional tumor, and death related to treatment. An Embase and PubMed literature search was performed by two independent authors. Five retrospective observational studies were eligible for inclusion in the present analysis. According to the reports in the literature and our analysis, the advantages of second quadrantectomy and re-irradiation (re-QUART) outweigh its side effects, with overall good rates of survival and adequate toxicity without increasing costs. Given the very low level of evidence, the panel stated that a second BCS plus re-irradiation can be considered as an alternative to salvage mastectomy for selected patients with IBTR.

Does Restless Legs Syndrome Have a Different Pathomechanism in Premotor and Motor Parkinson’s Disease?

Stefano Calzetti,Anna Negrotti,Vladimiro Pietrini 대한파킨슨병및이상운동질환학회 2021 Journal Of Movement Disorders Vol.14 No.3

There is a long-standing debate regarding the comorbid association of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) in the same patients. Recently, many studies have been focused mainly on the differentiation of the RLS cooccurring with PD from the primary form of the sensory-motor disorder [1], whereas possible heterogeneity in the pathomechanisms of RLS related to the timing of its onset in respect to the clinically overt PD and the so-called premotor/prodromal PD remains as yet unexplored.

Phthirus pubis Infestation of the Scalp

Stefano Veraldi,Paolo Pontini,Gianluca Nazzaro 대한기생충학열대의학회 2018 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.56 No.5

Rapidly Progressive Malignant Pelvic Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasm (PEComa) Associated with Eggerthella lenta Bloodstream Infection

Stefano Cacciatore,Carla Recupero,Claudia Massaro,Daniele Elmi,Domenico Fusco,Vanessa Badiali,Vincenzo Brandi,Damiano Arciuolo,Fabio Marazzi,Francesco Landi 대한노인병학회 2022 Annals of geriatric medicine and research Vol.26 No.4

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComa) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms composed of cells that express melanocytic and myogenic markers and grow around small blood vessels. PEComa often show benign behaviors but can also be highly aggressive. In frail and more complex patients, many conditions can overlap, compounding the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties inherent in rare diseases. Moreover, the complexity of modern patients introduces new and significant players in host-microbe interactions, and emerging pathogens represent a relevant challenge to modern healthcare. Among these pathogens is Eggerthella lenta, an anaerobic gram-positive bacterium of the normal gut microbiota associated with life-threatening infections. Here, we present a case of malignant pelvic PEComa with rapid metastatic progression in a 73-year-old man who presented with an E. lenta bloodstream infection. Approaching differential diagnosis with open-mindedness may assist in better imaging interpretation, surgery scheduling, and proper treatment planning. The non-specific clinical presentation might delay timely diagnosis, while the absence of well-consolidated guidelines undermines the accurate management of the disease, for which strict follow-up can favor better outcomes. Progress in diagnostic techniques, such as the implementation of MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight) mass spectrometry for micro-organism identification, helps with a more accurate pathogen diagnosis and characterization. This allows the implementation of the most appropriate therapy, as well as better surveillance of antibiotic resistance, infection prevention, and control measures. Nevertheless, a good dose of wisdom is vital to avoid overlooking potentially harmful pathogens, particularly in frail individuals.

EFFECTS OF RATE-SHAPED AND MULTIPLE INJECTION STRATEGIES ON POLLUTANT EMISSIONS, COMBUSTION NOISE AND FUEL CONSUMPTION IN A LOW COMPRESSION RATIO DIESEL ENGINE

Stefano d’Ambrosio,Alessandro Ferrari,Alessandro Mancarella,Antonio Mittica 한국자동차공학회 2020 International journal of automotive technology Vol.21 No.1

An experimental investigation has been carried out to highlight the effects of different injection strategies on the performance and emissions of a low compression ratio Euro 5 diesel engine operated with high EGR rates. Rate-shaped main injections, achieved with piezoelectric and solenoid injectors by means of boot and injection fusion, respectively, as well as optimized multiple injection patterns have been compared. The results of the comparisons, performed with reference to a state-of-the-art double pilot-Main (pM) strategy, are presented in terms of engine-out exhaust emissions, combustion noise (CN) and fuel consumption. Rate-shaped main injections, when included in delayed multiple injection patterns, have shown a minor influence on reducing NOx, while a slight deterioration in soot has been found. Both a double pilot and a boot injection schedule have been able to reduce CN at low loads. A higher reduction in CN has been obtained with an injection fusion event. Finally, DoE optimized triple and quadruple injection strategies have led to improved soot-NOx trade-offs, with respect to the pM calibration. In fact, splitting the injection helps to entrain air inside the fuel plumes, thus creating locally leaner mixture (less prone to forming soot) and allowing increasing the EGR rates (reducing NOx formation).

Towards defi ning a simplifi ed procedure for COTS system-on-chip TID testing

Stefano Di Mascio,Alessandra Menicucci,Gianluca Furano,Tomasz Szewczyk,Luigi Campajola,Francesco Di Capua,Andrea Lucaroni,Marco Ottavi 한국원자력학회 2018 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.50 No.8

The use of System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions in the design of on-board data handling systems is animportant step towards further miniaturization in space. However, the Total Ionizing Dose (TID) andSingle Event Effects (SEE) characterization of these complex devices present new challenges that areeither not fully addressed by current testing guidelines or may result in expensive, cumbersome testconfigurations. In this paper we report the test setups, procedures and results for TID testing of a SoCmicrocontroller both using standard 60Co and low-energy protons beams. This paper specifically pointsout the differences in the test methodology and in the challenges between TID testing with proton beamand with the conventional gamma ray irradiation. New test setup and procedures are proposed whichare capable of emulating typical mission conditions (clock, bias, software, reprogramming, etc.) whilekeeping the test setup as simple as possible at the same time.